<topic sku="core" tNum="289331" author="sallyh" xmlns="x-schema:hhTopicSchema.xml"><index><title>Learn about investment interest expense</title><category>tax</category><klink type="cncpt">Tell me about investment interest expense</klink></index>
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<p>You can deduct interest expense for borrowing money to invest, such as interest expense on a margin account with your broker. However, you cannot deduct interest on money you borrow to make tax-free investments. Your investment interest expense deduction is limited to your net investment income, including interest dividends, royalties, and short-term capital gains. For more information, see the IRS instructions for Schedule A and IRS Publication 550, Investment Income and Expenses, on the <alink type="xtnl" href="http://www.irs.gov">IRS Web site</alink>.</p>